2 exit Winfield posts amid board infighting

Heated words at the Winfield Village Board meeting this week resulted in a plan commissioner's resignation and another trustee's self-removal as a commission liaison.

In a letter to village President John Kirschbaum, newly appointed plan commissioner Jeff Cesario resigned after past "associations" with Winfield developer David Russo led to conflict-of-interest questions by Trustee Rudy Czech.

"With much regret, I accept Mr. Cesario's resignation," Kirschbaum said to the crowded chamber Thursday night. It was a resignation he at first declined, he said.

Cesario made no secret of his friendship and former business relationship with Russo. Czech questioned the relationship during Cesario's interview before Cesario was named to the commission. Czech cast the only no vote to the appointment.

Czech questioned Cesario's ethics after Cesario failed to recuse himself from voting on the Plan Commission's annexation and zoning changes for a subdivision called Rebecca Lane. Cesario voted for the development, which involved Russo selling 8 acres to Airhart Construction, a West Chicago-based developer.

The Rebecca Lane project, approved 5-1 by the board Thursday night, is an upscale, 10-home development many homeowners feel brings too much density to an area featuring 1- and 2-acre wooded lots. Czech cast the no vote.

When Cesario did not disqualify himself from the vote, three trustees dismissed Czech's concerns, saying there was no financial gain involved.

Trustee Dale Bianco then suggested Czech might be guilty of conflict as the board's liaison to the Transportation Commission, which is studying ways to increase traffic safety on the south side of Winfield, including Czech's neighborhood. Czech then removed himself from the post.